Birthdays of the Dead

Six years ago today Jim celebrated his last birthday with us.

Iceland 1430

Earth-smoke and rue. Ashy gusts burst and thin and billow again, like those trick candles that can’t be blown out.

Today is Jim’s birthday. Our birthdays, in different years, fell only ten days apart, both feeding into holidays our family now celebrates more in miniature.

We now live in a small house on a postage-stamp lot. My vehicle has shrunk considerably, the mighty mom van traded out for better gas mileage, fewer seats, and barely enough space to hoist a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Even the beagle has downsized.

The Lilliputian scaling is apt for a surviving spouse of my fairly petite dimensions.

Jim was more than a foot taller than I. His mark on the world remains large.

I just had follow-up x-rays at the hospital where Jim worked and was a patient. The orthopedist was checking on the status of healing bones (a story for another time, having…

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Author: Stephanie

In her spare time, Stephanie works full-time, and then some, as an attorney. She has published articles and delivered talks in arcane fields like forensic evidentiary issues, jury instructions, and expert scientific witness preparation. She attended law school near the the banks of the Charles River and loves that dirty water; she will always think of Boston as her home. You are welcome to take a look at her Facebook author page, or follow @SMartinGlennon on Twitter and @schnitzelpond on Instagram. Bonus points for anyone who understands the Instagram handle. All content on this blog, unless otherwise attributed, is (c) 2012-2023 by Stephanie M. Glennon and should not be reproduced (in any form other than re-blogging in accordance with the wee Wordpress buttons at the bottom of each post) without the express permission of the domain holder. View all posts by Stephanie

6 thoughts on “Birthdays of the Dead”

scillagrace says:

December 10, 2016 at 8:10 am

I love returning to your writing. I found another coincidence: my Jim and I had birthdays just 5 days apart. We straddled an astrological divide, and I think we both stepped across the Leo/Virgo line a lot. May your heart be whole, Stephanie, and bring you peace. ❤

Reply
ann says:

December 16, 2016 at 1:22 am

Love this post and you and Jim and 1,2,3,4 wonderful offspring. Can you and family members come for early dinner and get together — and Daniel and family — next Sunday?????? XXXXX
depending on weather and driving ???????

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Debbie L says:

December 18, 2016 at 6:55 am

I just shared about my beloved Steve, not just a brother in law, but a big brother to me. He and my sister began dating when I was 12. He became my tutor as I struggled in school. How proud he was that he’s not only graduated HS then college, but even earned a MS with straight As! The lessons he taught me were there with every paper I wrote and every test I took!
We just celebrated what would have been his 71st birthday on December 5. Tough month.
I love your writing…Wow, your Jim….

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1. Stephanie says:
  
  January 2, 2017 at 12:00 pm
  
  Thank you so much, Debbie. I think some of us (me, at least) tend to focus so much on our own pain and loss that we miss out on the opportunity to think about other people whose lives our loved ones touched and made better, and who remember them and have their own stories to tell and keep telling.
  
  Reply
  1. Debbie L says:
    
    January 2, 2017 at 3:19 pm
    
    Just re-read my comment and auto correct jumbled some words! He was so proud of me that I not only graduated HS, college but then earned an MS….when I struggled so in 7th grade!
    If you read my current blog, I share the scriptures that help me reach out to others in their pain. https://thetumblelees.me/2017/01/01/reflections-on-december-2016/
  2. Stephanie says:
    
    January 2, 2017 at 6:07 pm
    
    Thank you, I will do that. His pride must have come with great love.